US airlines fly into Gatwick Express row
The US government has stepped into the row over the future of the Gatwick Express after lobbying by airlines.
US transport secretary Norman Mineta has reportedly raised the issue with his UK counterpart Alistair Darling after lobbing by Continental and Delta Air Lines, according to the Daily Telegraph.
The high speed rail link from the airport to central London has been under threat for more than a year since the Strategic Rail Authority called for the service to be abolished to ease congestion on the London to Brighton commuter line.
But the two US airlines, which are denied access to Heathrow, believe Gatwick passengers need a dedicated rail link and they would be disadvantaged if it were to be cut.
Mineta’s intervention over the Gatwick Express emerged as British Airways chairman Martin Broughton renewed the airline’s attack on the US government for allowing US airlines to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protetcion.
Report by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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